If you're thinking about giving your garage floor a makeover, interlocking garage tiles are perhaps one of the most efficient, cost-effective and durable options out there: but which brand is best?

Swisstrax and RaceDeck are two of the most popular manufacturers of interlocking floor tiles, and in this blog, we're going to put both of them to the test when it comes to durability, ease of use, cost, efficiency, and more. So, Swisstrax vs. RaceDeck: which is better? Let's take a look!

What is Swisstrax?

Swisstrax is a brand of interlocking floor tiles made from recycled materials; the tiles are designed to be easy to install, tough, and resistant to wear and tear, making them perfect for garages. Swisstrax tiles can also be used for pool decking, gyms, workshops, patios, basements, decking and more.

What is RaceDeck?

RaceDeck is another leading brand of interlocking floor tiles: these tiles are made from high-density polypropylene and feature a patented interlocking system that makes them easy to install without the need for glue or fasteners. RaceDeck tiles are also designed to be durable and long-lasting, able to withstand heavy traffic, spills, and oils.

Why choose interlocking garage floor tiles?

Interlocking garage floor tiles are a great option for those looking to upgrade the look and functionality of their garage, decking, or other indoor space. Here are just three major benefits of interlocking flooring:

Durability

Interlocking floor tiles are designed to be long-lasting and manufactured to be able to withstand wear and tear from foot traffic, spills, oil, and more. Both Swisstrax and RaceDeck tiles are tough and resistant to damage, making them the perfect choice for a variety of applications.

Quick installation

Interlocking floor tiles require no glue or fasteners, making installation much easier than with other types of flooring. Swisstrax's patented interlocking system makes installation a breeze, so you won't need to hire a professional installation expert to carry out the installation for you.

Cost efficiency

Interlocking floor tiles are an economical choice when compared to other types of flooring, such as epoxy. Swisstrax and RaceDeck both offer a wide range of tiles at different price points, so you can find the perfect option for your needs without breaking the bank.

Swisstrax vs RaceDeck: Main Differences

While both Swisstrax and RaceDeck share many similarities in the function and design of their tiles, here are some of the most important key differences to note:

Ease of installation

If you're looking for the easiest installation option, Swisstrax has a clear advantage over RaceDeck: Swisstrax tiles can be put together using a simple (and patented) click design that interlocks the tiles as if they were lego pieces. 

Aside from being time-effective, this means that absolutely anyone (even someone with minimal DIY knowledge) can install Swisstrax tiles easily and swiftly. RaceDeck, on the other hand, uses a snap-together interlocking system that is slightly more complicated, and requires a little bit more DIY knowledge to install correctly.

Design options

When it comes to design options, Swisstrax again has the upper hand; Swisstrax offers their garage tiles in a range of different colors and patterns, with over 20 designs in total - 12 more than RaceDeck's 8.

Swisstrax also allows users to customize their garage floor to suit their own aesthetic or function preferences: as all Swisstrax flooring tiles are fully modular, customers can create a bespoke garage flooring design by mixing and matching a selection of the brand's tiles.

Affordability

Another win for Swisstrax is the question of affordability; Swisstrax floor tiles are much more affordable than RaceDeck options, despite being equal when it comes to quality, design, and durability. RaceDeck tiles tend to be more expensive as they're produced in the USA, while Swisstrax tiles are manufactured abroad.

Thread pattern

When it comes to each tile’s thread pattern, RaceDeck uses a diamond plate pattern, while Swisstrax uses a herringbone pattern for their garage tiles. While different patterns can be better suited to certain uses (for example, herringbone pattern is ideal for offroading) the design of your garage tiles ultimately comes down to your personal preferences. We'll call this one a draw!

Warranty

When making an investment in your home (whether it be an appliance or garage flooring) it's a good idea to ensure that your product offers a warranty in the case of damage. This is especially true for garage floor tiles, which  are exposed to all manner of wear and tear. RaceDeck offers their customers a 15-year warranty on their garage flooring, while Swisstrax goes one better with a 20-year warranty guarantee.

Weight durability

Given that the floor in your garage is  likely to be exposed to heavy vehicular traffic, weight durability is a key factor when it comes to selecting the right tile. RaceDeck tiles are built to support up to 30,000 lbs of rolling weight per square foot, while Swisstrax tiles can handle up to 25,000 lbs of weight per square foot. While this does give RaceDeck the upper hand, the small difference is somewhat arbitrary; most cars are lighter than 25,000 lbs and it's highly unlikely that you'll be parking anything heavier in your garage.

Noise

Noise is another important factor when considering garage floor tiles; you want to be able to  move around your garage with ease, without having to worry about making a terrible racket and disturbing those nearby. Again, Swisstrax wins here: RaceDeck tiles tend to be slightly noisier than Swisstrax tiles, as the rigidity of the tiles makes  them clack and echo when something is dropped or dragged across the floor.

So, which is better? Swisstrax vs RaceDeck: The verdict

Swisstrax clearly has the upper hand over RaceDeck in terms of ease of installation, affordability, design options, warranty and noise levels. If you're looking for a great garage flooring solution at an affordable price that can be installed quickly and easily, Swisstrax is the obvious choice.